If I take Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or any other GLP-1 weight loss drug, will I need to take it forever?

What are the side effects of Ozempic? Do we know the long term effects of these weight loss drugs?

Can Ozempic be prescribed for women in perimenopause or menopause?

What can women do to create sustainable weight loss? How can we lose the weight and keep it off?

Diana Isaacs, an endocrinology clinical pharmacy specialist answers the questions above and many others, as they pertain to the safety, sustainability and effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs. Diana serves as the Co-Director of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy and the Director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology at the Cleveland Clinic Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute.

From this educational conversation, I learned that certain GLP-1 medications can be used to lower blood pressure, help with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and sleep apnea!

To be connected with Diana Isaacs, please email Vera Kessler, host of America's Top Rebbetzins at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Why do Jews eat kosher food? Why do Jews keep shabbat? Why do Jewish women dress modestly? Yes, the Torah says to keep the above mitzvot (commandments), but WHY?

The answers to those questions on Jewish Law (Halakha), and many more can be found in the Talmud.

What is the Talmud? What is Halakha? And why is it relevant for women (and girls) to learn these holy teachings? Most importantly, how does learning Talmud help us on a practical, daily basis?

Rabbanit Chamutal Shoval, Director of the Susi Bradfield Women's Institute of Halakhic Leadership, sheds light of the importance of Talmud and Halakha study for women.

The Talmud is:
--a record of rabbinic debates about the Torah that took place between the 2nd and 5th centuries
--includes a codification of laws called the Mishnah, and a commentary on the Mishnah called the Gemara
--contains rules for social and family life, such as marriage, taxes, and criminal law
--helps to explain how the Torah applies to modern situations
--an essential source of halakha, or Jewish religious law

Simply put, the Talmud contains rabbinic commentaries, and explanation of traditions and laws that were given to us through the Torah’s infinite wisdom.

Halakha, also known as Jewish law, is a set of rules and practices that guide Jewish life. It covers religious observances, daily life, and personal/professional conduct.

In this eye opening conversation, Rabbanit Chamutal explains to us how women can elevate themselves and grow spiritually and personally though learning the Talmud. We see, through the rabbi's discussions, how they struggled with the same types of issues and challenges with which we struggle. And the struggle is real!

Learning the Talmud helps us understand how to respectfully listen to other people's points of view and opinions that might be different through ours. It teaches us how to interact with and communicate with people who are different from ourselves. The Talmud also gives us insights and perspectives into why Jews do what we do--shabbat, kashrut, laws of how to conduct business, interactions between men and women, and explains, in depth, a multitude of other Jewish commandments. It really helps us understand WHY we do what we do on a daily basis. As women (and girls) learn the Talmud, it begins to affect our self-conduct on a daily basis, as we connect with and understand more deeply, the teachings of the Torah.

Torah is not a subject like biology, math, history, or language arts. The point in learning Torah, including Talmud and Halakha, is for the teachings to enter your heart, change you as a person, on a spiritual level, and help you to become more elevated.

Rabbanit Chamutal is available to answer women's questions on Torah and Jewish law. To be connected to her, please email Vera Kessler, host of the America's Top Rebbetzins podcast at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! We wish it was that simple!

Singles of all ages have are having a challenging time meeting their soulmate. They are all looking for 'the one,' but are having a tough time finding him or her.

Rebbetzin Sarah Rabin from the Caulfield Shule in Melbourne, Australia, speaks about why people are having challenges in shiduchim (the Jewish system of matchmaking.) According to Rebbetzin Sarah, the top 5 challenges contributing to today's shidduch crisis are:

1. The fast pace of life--in our society, we race from one thing to the next--the next person, the next appointment, the next job, the next social event. People don't make the time to connect deeply.

2. Technology and distractions. In today's world, people have easy access to technology and dating apps. They are too busy swiping left and right, checking emails, texting, and scrolling social media to get to know someone in person.

3. People have high expectations and fear of commitment--people want their prospective wife/husband to fit all of their ideals. They have many expectations, which are not always realistic. Also, people are afraid of committing because they think that they could potential meet someone better...and better...and better...and...

4. Social circles and geography--Jews who live in smaller Jewish communities are hesitant to date 'that guy they went to school with,' or 'their best friend's brother.' It can be challenging to date when you have known the same people since nursery school. Likewise, in larger Jewish communities, it's harder to date because people are always looking around for someone potentially better. One suggestion is to branch off and visit other Jewish communities in different geographic locations.

5. Emotional readiness and past experience. Not everyone is mature and ready to enter into a committed relationship. Also, people might have had negative experiences with previous relationships, which makes them fearful of entering into another relationship.

Fortunately, Rebbetzin Sarah offered possible SOLUTIONS to the shidduch crisis, including:

1. Singles need to have clarity on their values and their priorities. When a person knows what they believe in, what they value, and what they find most important in life, it makes it easier to identify those same beliefs in another person.

2. Seek guidance. Singles need to resolve past issues of trauma or bad relationships with a therapist, and they need to seek guidance for dating from a rabbi/rebbetzin, mentor, or happily married friends. Singles need guidance in order to develop a healthy perspective on relationships and the work that they entail.

3. Hishtadlus (effort) and Emunah (belief in G-d). Singles need to understand that if they are going out on a date or to a singles event, they need to put effort into getting ready for the evening. They need to look attractive and presentable, and they need to be open to meeting people. Once they have done their part, the rest is in G-d's hands. He will orchestrate two people meeting, and He will guide singles to their soulmate.

4. Fostering connection. Jewish singles really need to give people a chance when they meet them. They need to establish a connection and put in the time and effort to get to know someone in order to see if they are a compatible match.

Singles, stay strong! Your soulmate is out there waiting for you.

Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

What happens to women's bodies during perimenopause and menopause?

In this fun and educational conversation with Functional Nutritionist Nili Grutman, we learn, in depth, about how estrogen and progesterone are produced, as well as the role that these hormones play in a women's body. We also learn what happens when, as women age, the production of these hormones decreases, and the effect that decreased estrogen and progesterone has on our bodies.

Estrogen is produced in the follicles of our ovaries. It is responsible for a variety of functions in our body, including (but not limited to):
--development of our feminine figure
--production of the collagen in our face that keeps us looking young
--support of production of serotonin and dopamine in the brain
--enabling us to feel safe, secure and happy

Progesterone is produced after ovulation. It is also plays a key role in women's bodies, and performs many functions, including (but not limited to):
--thickening the uterine lining
--regulating our menstrual cycle
--helping regulate our sexual libido
--controlling our moods

Women usually experience perimenopause when the are between 35-37 years old. At that time, the number of follicles in their ovaries significantly decreases, and their menstrual cycle becomes less frequent. Nili advises women to take care of their thyroid health and do a liver detox during this time.

Nili strongly suggests that women find a thorough and competent endocrinologist who is able to administer a series of tests to determine their thyroid health. She also advises women to take Kelp as a natural supplement to boost thyroid health.

It is very important to detox your liver because the liver is key in flushing out waste, including hormone waste, from your body. If the liver isn't healthy, toxins stay in your body longer, as may potentially cause damage. Nili talks about a variety of supplements that people can take to help detox their liver, including milk thistle, amino acids, and magnesium glycinate.

As a side note, Nili also reveals the reason behind weight gain (fat gain) specifically in our midsection. She explains why abdominal weight gain happens during perimenopause.

As for menopause, it begins in women between the ages of 45-55. We say that a woman is in menopause one year after her last period. At that time, she is no longer ovulating. In this phase of her life, she may appear cranky and more irritable. She is also more sensitive to stress. She needs to properly care for herself so that she reduces as much stress as possible from her life. She can also take supplements to support her during this time, such as ashwaganda, relora, vitamin D, fish oil, and omega-3 fatty acids.

At the very end, Nili speaks about hormone replacement therapy, which might be helpful to many women.

Nili believes in using nature as a vital resource for health and wellness. To be connected with Nili, please email Vera Kessler, host of America's Top Rebbetzins at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

In this lively conversation with Rebbetzin Tehilla Birnbaum, we talk about the Torah approach to physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. We learn to understand WHY it is so important for us to care for ourselves in these realms, since they all affect each other.

The age old question is...'Am I a body, or am I a soul?' The answer is both. The body is a vessel that contains our soul. Since our body is a vessel that contains our soul, we need to take the best care of it possible. We need to incorporate physical activity into our lives. We need to sleep properly, make sure that we have good physical hygiene (like bathing daily and brushing our teeth at least twice a day), we need to take the time to get dressed properly so that we are put together. We use our physical being to elevate ourselves spiritually.

Our thoughts and emotions also play a large role in the way we perceive the world and elevate ourselves. When we are able to look at a situation in a positive light and show gratitude for the blessings, and also the challenges, in our lives, we elevate ourselves emotionally and mentally. Focusing on the positive in people, situations, and circumstances promotes clarity of the mind. When our mind is clear, we can make good decisions.

We can keep ourselves spiritually healthy through prayer. It could be through traditional written prayer like you find in a siddur (prayer book) or Tehillim (psalms), or it could be through having a conversation with G-d in your own words (hitbodedut.) By speaking with G-d in your own language throughout the day, our soul is in constant connection with Him. We begin to feel calm and protected.

To be connected to Rebbetzin Tehilla Birnbaum, please email Vera Kessler, host of America's Top Rebbetzins at: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Are you looking to lose weight--5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 50 pounds or more? Are you wondering if Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, the big names in weight loss drugs at the moment, might be right for you? Who qualifies for these medications and what are the side effects?

In this comprehensive conversation with Dr. Adrienne Youdim, board certified physician specializing in clinical nutrition and obesity medicine, we get the inside scoop. We learn that these drugs were formulated specifically with health outcomes, not aesthetic outcomes, in mind. In other words, people do lose weight on these drugs, but they were specifically designed for people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes.

Dr. Youdim talks about GLP-1 semaglutides and their effects on the body. She explains that they slow down the digestion of food in your gut, keeping you feeling full for longer periods of time, thereby curbing your appetite. This helps fight obesity.

Dr. Youdim also explains that since these drugs are directed to function in the gut, the side effects are also felt in the gut. Side effects include, but are not limited to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and, in some cases, pancreatitis.

You will hear Dr. Youdim speak beautifully about a mind, body and soul approach to medicine, including weight loss. She emphasizes that nothing is without a cost; there is a cost to taking action, and there is a cost to not taking action, when it comes to your health.

Dr. Youdim's TED Talk can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AFpeEOeEZVg

Dr. Youdim's book, Hungry for More can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.com/Hungry-More-Stories-Science-Inspire/dp/0578875632/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2G7ZWPMWL46FR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.78U2LlbpNiwLNjROfhnPj6JWABK7hu10MktR8CPD4JMuKLf6DA3Dqbex8sq1VWhH.e2tjG3HwVxDg2juoMVzbkPcZn96yEs2_78KktZiNmgU&dib_tag=se&keywords=hungry+for+more+youdim&qid=1738091582&sprefix=hungry+for+more+youdim%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1

To be connected to Dr. Youdim, please email Vera Kessler, host of America's Top Rebbetzins at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Did you grow up with an iPhone? Were you able to message on Instagram with your best friend in middle school? Was Facebook your primary source of interaction in high school?

Many of us grew up at a time where if we wanted to socialize with our friends, we walked over the their house, sat next to them in the cafeteria at school, or called them on their landline phone from our landline phone (or maybe even from a payphone!)

Times have changed so much, and the new generation of children are growing up with iPhones, iPads, cell phones, and access to an entire array of social media sites and apps. It's not just our children who have access to these platforms, it is adults, as well. We are role models for our children in the way we use social media.

In this honest and sincere conversation with Rebbetzin Lisa Babich, the rebbetzin of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in New York City, we talk about both adult and child usage of social media.

As adults, we need to be mindful about the content we are posting. We also want to be balanced so that we don't overpost or overshare. Before posting anything, we need to ask ourselves, 'What is the intention of my post?' or 'What is my goal in posting?' We need to check in with ourselves to make sure that we are not bragging and showing off, keeping in mind that other people might get hurt or offended by what we post.

Rebbetzin Lisa shared a passage from the Torah that speaks about how when the Israelites were camping in the dessert, the openings of their tents were turned away from each other in order to give each person and family their privacy. Not everything is for public consumption.

We also have to make sure that we are not obsessed with the number of 'likes' we receive for our posts. We need to have inner confidence, regardless of how many 'likes' or 'views' we receive. Inner confidence leads to true happiness.

Rebbetzin Lisa also spoke about having open communication and conversations with your children and spouse about social media, and setting social media limits and boundaries for kids and teens.

Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Do you suffer from back pain? Headaches? ADD/ADHD? COVID? Do you need to lose weight? Do you really want heal from anxiety and depression? Homeopathy may be the solution! And it's not new...homeopathy is actually mentioned in the Torah!

In this engaging interview with homeopath and yoga instructor, Davira Reichman Bareli, we discover what homeopathy is, and how it works to heal ourselves.

Homeopathy takes into account the entire person. It is is holistic--treating the person, not the symptoms or the diagnosis. Two people can have the same illness, but require different remedies. Before prescribing a remedy, Davira takes into account a person's symptoms, how a person thinks, how they feel, their family environment, their stressors, their physical features, their medical history, and many other things that gives the full picture of the person, so that the right homeopathic remedy can be prescribed.

In terms of the right remedy, Davira explains that LIKE CURES LIKE. For example, intermittent heat treat burns. Davira explains how!

We learn from this conversation that homeopathy uses the dormant energy in natural substances to heal a person so that they can bring out the best in themselves and perform their unique role in healing the world.

To be connected with Davira, please email atrebbetzins@gmail.com

(I'm sorry that the conversation cut off at the end due to technical difficulties.)